Features

GRASS VALLEY (CBS13) — Determined not to be caught on camera, a Tea Party Patriots co-founder from Nevada County ran from a CBS 2 photographer in New York on Thursday after being arrested for trying to board a flight at LaGuardia with a gun and ammunition.

According to The Associated Press, Queens prosecutors say Mark Meckler, 49, was taken into custody at about 5:20 a.m. Thursday after he tried to check in for a Delta flight with a box containing a Glock pistol and 19 cartridges of ammunition.

Officials said Meckler declared the weapon, as required. He was also licensed to carry the gun in California, where he lives.

But that license is not valid in New York, which has strict rules on carrying concealed weapons. Meckler spent the day in jail and was arraigned in Queens late Thursday afternoon on a felony weapons possession charge. He was released pending a Jan. 12 court date. He’ll likely face a fine and not any jail time.

CBS13’s Tony Lopez was in Meckler’s home base of Nevada County on Thursday night to gauge residents’ reaction.